Your turf, or mine?

I love the description of the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem under Nehemiah’s close eye. We read phrases like “next to him”, and “beside him” throughout the narrative as each family group takes responsibility for a part of the reconstruction.

Obviously, Nehemiah couldn’t accomplish the project on his own; it may have been his vision, but the people’s participation was not only expected, but necessary. There’s a lesson for the church right there—pastors can’t do it all; in fact, not even most of the work in building God’s kingdom.

The New Testament version of Nehemiah, (i.e., Paul of Tarsus), put it this way:

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

In other words, the church is a definite hands-on operation. How can I obey the “pick up your cross and follow Me” injunction if I’m not even willing to pick up a hammer? Or mow a lawn? Or change a diaper in the nursery? (C’mon guys, if I can use the weed-eater, you can change a nappy.)

To accomplish this God-given task, it takes cooperation. I may have charge of a piece of the wall, but it’s not my wall; in fact, it’s not even “my” piece. And no section is more important than the other—any breach or weak area anywhere in the wall would invite the enemy’s intrusion.

Once again, Paul keeps pace with Nehemiah:

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary…So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.

Unfortunately, we still have that old tendency to think otherwise. This is when the phrases “next to him” and “beside him” are very informative. Interestingly, they didn’t get to choose their part of the wall; it seems like it was more of an assignment—this is where you live? Okay, then, go find your drill and get started!

But, no. This is where a little nugget of an attitude is recorded for all eternity—

Next were the people from Tekoa, though their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors.

There is no indication as to why this was so, and plenty of speculation is available. Too busy with their own important work? Thought the work “beneath” them? Were their co-workers in the wrong social class? The interesting thing is that the reason didn’t matter enough to record…

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Author: dawnlizjones

Tends toward TMI, so here's the short list: guitar and banjo (both of which have been much neglected as of late), bicycling (ibid), dogs, very black tea, and contemplating and commenting on deep philosophical thoughts about which I have had no academic or professional training. Oh, also reading, writing, but I shy away from arithmetic.
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5 thoughts on “Your turf, or mine?”

“There’s a lesson for the church right there—pastors can’t do it all; in fact, not even most of the work in building God’s kingdom”

That message will preach. Sadly our pastors often can’t preach that without people think they are not earning their keep. That Pastor’s primary work is to study God’s Word and teach and preach it to us. He is supposed to teach us how to “go” into all the world, not be the only one to go into the world. I am putting this on my to share list, as I know many who need to hear somebody besides me say it to them, as they are getting tired of me.

Say “CHEESE”…(click)

May I have the honor of introducing you to the Creator of vibrant rainbows, redwood forests, and the duckbill platypus? He is not only amazingly creative, terrifyingly awesome, but also incredibly humorous. (And He likes to see you smile....honest.)

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“[To the Church in Laodicea] “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”